Superior Court of Fulton County Chambers Communication Rules

WARNINGCivil cases

The Court does not answer questions about legal strategy, court preferences, or approaches to legal questions.

Likewise, the Court does not answer questions regarding legal strategy, court preferences or approaches to legal questions.

WARNINGCriminal cases

Contact

Email to chambers

Proposed jury charges must be emailed to Senior Staff Attorney Erik Smith.

Please email a copy of the Proposed Jury Charges to Senior Staff Attorney, Erik Smith, at erik.smith@fultoncountyga.gov.

WARNINGCivil cases

Contact

Email to chambers

Parties selecting email as their primary method of communication with the Court must check their emails or ensure someone monitors and forwards them.

By selecting email as the primary method of communication with the Court, each party is required to check their emails or arrange to have their emails forwarded to someone in your office who will be responsible for checking them and informing you of the messages/documents that have been sent.

WARNINGCivil cases

The Court cannot counsel self-represented litigants on procedure or law.

Please be advised that the Court cannot counsel Self-Represented Litigants on the procedure or on law.

WARNINGCriminal cases

Contact

Phone to chambers

Counsel should avoid telephoning Chambers except in exceptional circumstances.

avoid telephoning Chambers except in exceptional circumstances

WARNINGCivil cases

Contact

Email to chambers

Contact Senior Staff Attorney Erik Smith by email about case status, trial length, and settlement possibilities during the trial calendar.

contact the Senior Staff Attorney, Erik Smith at erik.smith@fultoncountyga.gov, with the status of the case, the estimated length of trial and the possibilities of settlement during the trial calendar.

WARNINGCivil cases

Telephone calls to the Court should be reserved for exceptional circumstances.

Telephone calls to the Court should be reserved for exceptional circumstances.

WARNINGCivil cases

Counsel unfamiliar with evidence presentation technology should consult the Court to learn what technology will be used.

In the event any party intends to utilize exhibits during any hearing, trial or other proceedingand the counsel is unfamiliar with the evidence presentation technology used by the Court, then that attorney should consultthe Court to find out what technology will be used.

WARNINGCivil cases

Contact

Email

Phone

(404) 612-2770

Counsel should contact Court Support by phone or email for further assistance.

If further assistance is needed, counsel should contact Court Support at (404) 612-2770 or e-mail CourtSupport@fultoncountyga.gov.

WARNINGCivil cases

Contact

Email

Phone

(404) 612-2770

Counsel unfamiliar with Zoom should contact Court Support by phone or email.

event any party intends to utilize exhibits during any hearing, trial or other proceeding and the counsel is unfamiliar with Zoom, then that attorney should contact Court Support at (404) 612-2770 or e-mail CourtSupport@fultoncountyga.gov.

WARNING

Contact

Email to chambers

The Rule 6.3 pleading must be e-mailed to Mr. Kerns along with a proposed rule nisi in Microsoft Word format.

That Rule 6.3 pleading must also be e-mailed to Mr. Kerns, along with a proposed rule nisi in Microsoft Word format.

WARNINGCivil cases

Contact

Email to chambers

If Court Support cannot help, counsel should contact Judicial Assistant Ms. Violeta Umana via email.

If counsel is unable to get the needed assistance from contacting Court Support, he or she should contact Ms. Violeta Umana, Judicial Assistant, at Violeta.Umana@fultoncountyga.gov.

INFO

For matters pending before Judicial Officer Miller, contact Litigation Manager Stephanie Cooper at stephanie.cooper@fultoncountyga.gov.

Contact Litigation Manager Stephanie Cooper at: stephanie.cooper@fultoncountyga.gov

INFO

Contact

Email to chambers

Parties settling before the Final Trial should email notice as soon as practicable to the relevant staff attorney.

If Parties reach a settlement agreement or otherwise resolve the case prior to the Final Trial, email notice should be provided as soon as practicable to Senior Staff Attorney Jessica Cummings for trials set before Judge Benton, or Litigation Manager Stephanie Cooper for trials set before Judicial Officer Greg Miller.

INFOCivil cases

Contact

Email to chambers

The Staff Attorney is the principal contact for civil matters and communication with the Staff Attorney should be via e-mail.

The Staff Attorney is the principal contact for civil matters. Electronic communication is encouraged. Communication with the Staff Attorney should be via e-mail.

INFO

Contact Senior Staff Attorney Jessica Cummings at: jessica.cummings@fultoncountyga.gov

Contact Senior Staff Attorney Jessica Cummings at: jessica.cummings@fultoncountyga.gov

INFOCriminal cases

Contact

Email to chambers

Melanie Fisher is the assigned court reporter for criminal cases; exhibits should be emailed to her.

Melanie Fisher is the Court's assigned court reporter for criminal cases and her email address is Melanie.Fisher@fultoncountyga.gov.

INFOCriminal cases

Contact

Email to chambers

Counsel are encouraged to request access to or training on evidence presentation technology by emailing the Court's Judicial Assistant.

Counsel are encouraged to request access to and/or training on the equipment prior to a scheduled hearing by emailing the Court's Judicial Assistant Ashley Williams at (Ashley. Williams@fultoncountyga.gov).

INFO

Documents and pleadings submitted via U.S. mail should have the appropriate postage affixed and be addressed as follows: Ms. Noel Gullatt, Litigation Manager 185 Central Avenue S.W. Suite T-5665 Atlanta, Georgia 30303

Documents and pleadings submitted via U.S. mail should have the appropriate postage affixed and be addressed as follows: Ms. Noel Gullatt, Litigation Manager 185 Central Avenue S.W. Suite T-5665 Atlanta, Georgia 30303

INFO

Contact

Email

The assigned court reporter, Stephanie Richardson, may be contacted via email.

Stephanie Richardson is the Court’s assigned court reporter. Stephanie Richardson can be contacted via email at Stephanie.richardson@fultoncountyga.gov.

INFO

Contact

Email to chambers

To waive a case management hearing, parties should email the Litigation Manager and consent in writing.

Cases that are ready for trial and parties consent to waiver of a case management hearing, parties should email the Litigation Manager and consent in writing to waive a case management hearing and request to place the matter on the Court’s trial calendar.

INFO

Matters Pending Before Judicial Officer Ashley Baker Osby: 30-or 60-Day Status Conferences, Joint Compliance Certificates, Requests for ADR/Mediation Orders, Motions of Publication and proposed orders, Motions for Judgment on the Pleadings, Final Consent Orders, Requests for Temporary Hearings (less than two hours), Motions, Responses, and proposed orders, Notices of Discovery Disputes, Motions to Compel Discovery, Post-Judgment Motions or Petitions for Contempt, Courtesy copies of e-filed motions listed above, Notices regarding 120-Day Status Conferences for cases remaining with judicial officer, Notices of Trial for cases being heard by judicial officer. Contact Litigation Manager Cathy Robinson at: cathy.robinson@fultouncountyga.gov

Matters Pending Before Judicial Officer Ashley Baker Osby: 30-or 60-Day Status Conferences, Joint Compliance Certificates, Requests for ADR/Mediation Orders, Motions of Publication and proposed orders, Motions for Judgment on the Pleadings, Final Consent Orders, Requests for Temporary Hearings (less than two hours), Motions, Responses, and proposed orders, Notices of Discovery Disputes, Motions to Compel Discovery, Post-Judgment Motions or Petitions for Contempt, Courtesy copies of e-filed motions listed above, Notices regarding 120-Day Status Conferences for cases remaining with judicial officer, Notices of Trial for cases being heard by judicial officer. Contact Litigation Manager Cathy Robinson at: cathy.robinson@fultouncountyga.gov

INFO

Contact

Email to chambers

Parties who settle or resolve the case before Final Trial must email notice as soon as practicable to Judge Eaton's Senior Staff Attorney or Judicial Officer Osby's Litigation Manager.

If Parties reach a settlement agreement or otherwise resolve the case prior to the Final Trial, email notice should be provided as soon as practicable to Senior Staff Attorney Elizabeth Marum for trials set before Judge Eaton, or Litigation Manager Cathy Robinson for trials set before Judicial Officer Osby.

INFOCriminal cases

Contact

Email to chambers

Phone

(404) 612-8463

Parties are directed to contact the litigation manager by phone or email to schedule the date for entry of a plea.

The parties are directed to contact Cathy Robinson, Litigation Manager for Judge Eaton, at (404) 612-8463 or cathy.robinson@fultoncountyga.gov to schedule a date for entry prior to this date.

INFO

Matters Pending Before Judge Eaton: Notices regarding 120-Day Status Conferences (with Judge Eaton), Requests for Temporary Hearings (more than 2 hours), Notices regarding Final Trial, Consolidated Pretrial Orders, Cases in which a Rule 1000-4.2 Objection has been filed: Motions, Responses to motions and proposed orders, Requests for hearings on pre-trial motions, Requests for pre-trial conferences or discovery dispute conferences. Contact Senior Staff Attorney Elizabeth Marum at: Elizabeth.marum@fultoncountyga.gov

Matters Pending Before Judge Eaton: Notices regarding 120-Day Status Conferences (with Judge Eaton), Requests for Temporary Hearings (more than 2 hours), Notices regarding Final Trial, Consolidated Pretrial Orders, Cases in which a Rule 1000-4.2 Objection has been filed: Motions, Responses to motions and proposed orders, Requests for hearings on pre-trial motions, Requests for pre-trial conferences or discovery dispute conferences. Contact Senior Staff Attorney Elizabeth Marum at: Elizabeth.marum@fultoncountyga.gov

INFOCriminal cases

Contact

Email to chambers

Parties must familiarize themselves with the evidence presentation technology in Courtroom 5C before using it; counsel are encouraged to request access or training before a hearing by emailing Judicial Assistant Max Arrechea.

The parties shall familiarize themselves with the evidence presentation technology in Courtroom 5C prior to its use during a proceeding. Counsel are encouraged to request access to and/or training on the equipment prior to a scheduled hearing by emailing the Court's Judicial Assistant Max Arrechea at Max.Arrechea@fultoncountyga.gov

INFO

Contact

Email to chambers

Copies of any such documents should also be provided to the Court at the same time they are provided to the opposing party via email to Staff Attorney Elizabeth Marum for hearings before Judge Eaton, or Litigation Manager Cathy Robinson for hearings before Judicial Officer Osby.

Copies of any such documents should also be provided to the Court at the same time they are provided to the opposing party via email to Staff Attorney Elizabeth Marum for hearings before Judge Eaton, or Litigation Manager Cathy Robinson for hearings before Judicial Officer Osby.

INFOCriminal cases

Contact

Email

The Court provides trial-appearance notice to counsel of record by email.

Notice will be provided by email to counsel of record.

INFOCriminal cases

Contact

Email to chambers

Counsel should contact the Litigation Manager early in the case, preferably before Plea and Arraignment, for assistance scheduling an Accountability Court referral or interview.

6 ===== Litigation Manager April M. Woods at April.Woods@fultoncountvga.gov early in the life of the case, — preferably before Plea and Arraignment if ' you need assistance in scheduling an Accountability Court referral or interview.

INFOCriminal cases

Counsel should avoid telephoning chambers except in exceptional circumstances.

To prevent miscommunications and inappropriate ex parte communications, avoid telephoning chambers except in exceptional circumstances.

INFO

Contact

Email

To arrange for court reporter takedown, contact Ms. Sanders at c.eliseporting@outlook.com no later than noon the day before trial.

If counsel or parties would like trial to be taken down by the court reporter, they shall contact Ms. Sanders at c.eliseporting@outlook.com no later than noon on the day prior to start of trial to arrange for takedown.

INFO

Questions about exhibit submission may be addressed to Ms. Sanders at c.eliseporting@outlook.com.

Questions may be addressed to Ms. Sanders at c.eliseporting@outlook.com.

INFO

Contact

Email to chambers

Proposed orders may be emailed in Word format to the Staff Attorney, with a copy of the filed motion attached.

Proposed orders may be emailed in Word format to the Staff Attorney. Please also attach a copy of the filed motion.

INFO

Contact

Email to chambers

Proposed orders may be emailed in Word format to the Staff Attorney, with opposing counsel included and a copy of the filed motion attached.

Proposed orders may be emailed in Word format to the Staff Attorney, with opposing counsel included. Please also attach a copy of the filed motion.

INFO

Parties should avoid telephoning the Court except in exceptional circumstances.

For this same reason and to prevent miscommunications, please avoid telephoning except in exceptional circumstances.

INFO

The Court and court staff do not provide training on how to use courtroom technology.

The Court and Court staff are not available to give training on how to work the courtroom technology.

INFO

Contact

Email

Questions about DVD/CD exhibits may be directed to Ms. Sanders at c.eliseporting@outlook.com.

Questions may be addressed to Ms. Sanders at c.eliseporting@outlook.com.

INFOCivil cases

Contact

Email to chambers

Conference requests should be via email to lara.percifield@fultoncountyga.gov.

Conference requests should be via email to lara.percifield@fultoncountyga.gov.

INFOCivil cases

Contact

Email to chambers

The Senior Staff Attorney is the principal contact for civil matters and should be reached by email, with the Judicial Assistant as follow-up contact.

Lara Percifield, Senior Staff Attorney, is your principal contact for civil matters. Whenever possible, communication with Ms. Percifield should be via e-mail to lara.percifield@fultoncountyga.gov. Ms. Percifield will respond to all matters as time permits. If further follow up is needed, please email Judicial Assistant Katrina Devine-Weaver at katrina.devine-weaver@fultoncountyga.gov.

INFOCivil cases

Contact

Email to chambers

Trial-related questions or issues should be directed to Ms. Percifield via email with all parties/counsel copied.

Any questions or issues related to trial should be directed to Ms. Percifield via email: lara.percifield@fultoncountyga.gov with all parties/counsel copied.

INFOCivil cases

Counsel should contact Ms. Percifield in advance of trial to ensure presentation viewing equipment is properly equipped.

Counsel should contact Ms. Percifield in advance of trial to ensure that any viewing equipment counsel intends to use for a presentation is equipped with all necessary players, drivers, cables, and other accessories.

INFOCriminal cases

Contact

Email to clerk

A probationer may forgo the initial revocation hearing by emailing Litigation Manager Gorman and the State.

A probationer may forgo this initial hearing by contacting Litigation Manager Gorman and the State by email to have the case set for a final evidentiary hearing.

INFOCriminal cases

Contact

Phone to chambers

Phone

404-612-2812

Attorneys must contact Judicial Assistant Betty Daniels to arrange delivery of client clothing.

Attorney should contact Judicial Assistant Betty Daniels at 404-612-2812 to arrange delivery of client clothing.

INFOCriminal cases

Contact

Email

Cases ready for trial that do not need a CMC should email Litigation Manager Gorman to be removed from the calendar.

Cases which are ready for trial and not in need of a CMC should email Litigation Manager Gorman to be removed from this calendar.

INFO

Contact

Email

Requests to exceed the page limit may be made informally by email.

Approval to exceed this page length may be requested informally by email.

INFO

The Court and its staff cannot provide legal or procedural advice.

The Court and Court staff cannot provide counsel on procedure or on the law.

INFO

Contact

Email

The Court prefers email communication when possible.

The Court has chosen to communicate by email, whenever possible, for the sake of efficiency and economy.

INFOCivil cases

Phone

404-612-2805

Sarah Thomas, Senior Staff Attorney, is the principal contact for all trial matters, reachable by email or phone.

Sarah Thomas, Senior Staff Attorney, is your principal contact on all trial matters. She can be reached at Sarah.Thomas@fultoncountyga.gov and 404-612-2805.

INFO

Contact

Email to chambers

The USCR 6.3 oral argument pleading and a proposed rule nisi in Word format must be emailed to Ms. Sarah Thomas.

That Rule 6.3 pleading must also be emailed to Ms. Sarah Thomas along with a proposed rule nisi in Microsoft Word format.

INFOCivil cases

Parties must alert the Court if a motion in limine hearing is expected to last more than an hour.

If a party filing a motion in limine believes the motion will require a hearing lasting more than an hour, the party must alert the Court, so that the Court might properly manage the prospective jurors’ schedule.